Peer-led motivation, engagement, and satisfaction elevated among college students by participating in "Study With Me" sessions.
In a groundbreaking study published in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers led by Rui Hou discovered that peer support in "Study With Me" (SWM) sessions significantly enhances academic satisfaction, motivation, engagement, and reduces test anxiety among Generation Z college students.
The study, which surveyed 509 undergraduate students in China who had used the Bilibili platform's SWM videos for at least three consecutive months, employed structural equation modeling to analyse the impact of peer support on various learning outcomes.
## Academic Satisfaction and Motivation
The findings indicate that peer support positively influences both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. This means that students are more likely to be motivated to learn from within (intrinsic) as well as from external rewards or recognition (extrinsic). This motivation, in turn, boosts engagement, making students more involved in their learning process. This active participation is linked to higher levels of satisfaction with the learning experience.
## Test Anxiety
The study also revealed that peer support acts as a buffer against test anxiety. When students feel supported by their peers, they are less likely to experience anxiety related to exams or assessments.
## Self-Efficacy and Learning Outcomes
The research further demonstrates that peer support enhances students' self-efficacy, which is the belief in their ability to succeed in academic tasks. This confidence boost is crucial for effective learning outcomes. Interestingly, prerecorded videos had a stronger connection to students' self-efficacy, likely because these formats allow for more personalized, self-paced learning in calming environments.
## Study Environment
"Study With Me" videos provide a sense of community and shared learning experience, which can mimic the benefits of traditional study groups, even in a virtual setting. This study environment can positively shape students' academic experiences.
In summary, peer support in SWM videos is a powerful tool for improving academic satisfaction, motivation, and engagement while reducing test anxiety among Generation Z college students. The study's findings suggest that digital learning environments that foster peer support could prove to be more than just a passing trend—they could represent the future of self-directed education in a connected world.
Future research could explore how SWM affects long-term academic performance, or how its benefits might differ across cultures and age groups. The study was published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2025 by Rui Hou and colleagues, with the citation: Hou, R., Jin, L., He, J., & Wang, J. (2025). Peer support and learning outcomes in "Study With Me" among Generation Z college students: Mediating roles of motivation, test anxiety, and self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1582857. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1582857.
- The study in "Frontiers in Psychology" revealed that peer support in "Study With Me" (SWM) sessions enhances not only academic satisfaction but also self-efficacy among Generation Z college students.
- In the study, it was found that peer support significantly improves several aspects of learning, including motivation, engagement, and personal growth, all of which contribute to a more satisfying educational experience.
- The researchers further discovered that peer support acts as a buffer against anxiety and stress, particularly during testing periods, making SWM a valuable resource for students to mitigate exam-related anxiety.
- The study also highlighted the role of education-and-self-development platforms like SWM in fostering a sense of community and shared learning experience, simulating the benefits of traditional study groups even in a virtual setting.
- The findings imply that digital learning environments could hold immense potential for enhancing personal-growth, self-directed education, and effective learning outcomes across diverse cultures and age groups.
